Take On Me

by Stacy Claflin

  Nick’s phone buzzed with a text. His parents.

  Genevieve gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Take a quick shower. I’ll clean up the food.”

  “Do I have time?”

  She glanced at the clock. “Yeah. Make it quick, though. It’ll help your headache.”

  He nodded, unable to argue, then headed for his room. How had his life been reduced to this? Having to tell his son that he wasn’t actually his son—not that he’d word it that way. Parker’s only full-blooded sibling was his brother Mason, who was now in jail along with their parents.

  It would almost be better if he didn’t know. Let the kid think he stood a chance at a normal life. Would he believe he was destined for prison, too?

  The thought crushed him. His mind went over every possible scenario as he took a shower, but he kept coming back to the same conclusion. He needed to tell Parker the truth. There was no getting around it. The kid deserved as much.

  “You about done?” Genevieve called from the bedroom.

  “Yeah.” Nick turned off the water and got ready as fast as possible.

  As they made their way to the cars, she turned to him. “It’s going to be okay. Everything’ll work out, even if it’s hard at first.”

  Nick sighed. “I sure hope so.”

  “It will.”

  He wished he had her optimism.

  Nightmare

  Moaning woke Alex. He sat up in bed, looking around the dark apartment converted from his in-laws’ three-car garage. The bed was empty, which meant Zoey had to have gotten up with the twins.

  Ayla.

  He leaped from the bed and rushed over to the couch, where his cousin slept soundly on the sleeper sofa. Relief washed through him. A glance at the clock told him he’d slept about ten hours. Alex had sure needed it, and Ayla clearly needed more after her ordeal.

  “Are you awake?” he whispered.

  She didn’t stir.

  He wrote a quick note for her in case she woke while he was in the main part of the house. She’d fallen asleep the moment they left her house, and she hadn’t woken when Alex brought her into the house. The last thing she needed was to wake up in a strange place, not knowing where she was. It might send her over the edge.

  Alex rubbed his eyes and went to the door which led to Kenji and Valerie’s kitchen, which he and Zoey shared with them. The room was full—not just his in-laws, wife, and three kids, but also his parents, his sister Macy, and her family.

  “Why is everyone here?” He kissed Zoey before lumbering to pour himself some coffee.

  Macy turned to him. “We want to be here for Ayla.”

  Alex poured some mint creamer into the mug and took a slow sip. “She’s still sleeping. Might be for a while after everything she’s been through. I don’t think she got much rest at the hospital.”

  “Who does?” Zoey asked.

  “We’ll wait.” Alex’s mom smiled at him. “How are you holding up after a long night?”

  He held back a yawn. “I’m doing pretty good now that I’ve had a full night’s sleep. I can’t believe I slept through the twins’ nightly fussing.”

  Zoey beamed. “They both slept through the night. Can you believe it?”

  He gave her a double-take. “They did?”

  She nodded, then everyone started talking over one another. Alex finished his coffee then made himself another cup before heading back to the apartment. Ayla still slept, so he got into the shower and got ready since everyone was over—not that they hadn’t all just seen him in sweats and a wrinkled shirt.

  He opened his laptop and checked his blog comments. His latest post covered a missing teen that hadn’t gotten much coverage until he wrote about it. Now his site was blowing up with hits and comments.

  “Argh!” Ayla hollered. “Go away!”

  Alex’s heart thundered. He shut the laptop and raced over to her.

  She was thrashing around and gasping for air. Sweat dripped down her forehead.

  “Ayla!” Alex put his hands on her shoulders. “Wake up!”

  “Don’t!” She pulled away and nearly rolled off the bed.

  He grabbed her just in time and pulled her to the middle of the mattress.

  She kicked him in the rib and swung her fists around, hitting his jaw. “Stop! No!”

  Alex winced at the pain but didn’t let her go. “Ayla, wake up!”

  Her eyes opened, and she looked around. Gasped for air. “Uncle Alex?”

  “Good morning, Ayla.” He kept his voice steady, not wanting to further upset her. “Are you okay?”

  She sat up and looked around then wiped her forehead. “Where are we? Is this your place?”

  “Yes. This is my apartment.” He explained about how it was attached to the house and who lived where.

  “You have twin babies and a daughter older than me?” Her body relaxed.

  “Right. I know you don’t remember any of this, and that’s okay. Everything is okay. My parents and sister came over. They’re eager to see you, but if you think it’s too much, I can have them come back later. It’s really not a big deal.”

  Ayla rubbed her eyes and she leaned against him. “I probably should see some relatives. Maybe it’ll help.”

  “It might, and everyone is excited to see you again.”

  “Again.” She frowned.

  “Do you want to get ready first? I put your suitcase on the other side of your bed.”

  “Okay.” Ayla swung her legs over and stretched. She winced. “Everything hurts.”

  “The doctors gave you a prescription for the pain if it gets too bad.”

  “Can I just have the liquid stuff?”

  “You remember taking liquid headache medicine?”

  She stared at him for a moment then shrugged. “It just seems like what I should take.”

  “I think we have some. I can check while you’re getting ready. If not, I’m sure somebody here can run to the store.”

  “Thanks.”

  He showed her where the bathroom was before heading back to the kitchen. Everyone was in the backyard. His dad, father-in-law, and brother-in-law Luke were setting up the grill. Everyone else was playing with the babies.

  “Lunch already?”

  Kenji looked over and teased, “That’s what you get for sleeping in.”

  Alex chuckled. “Getting in late was hardly in my control.”

  “How’s Ayla holding up?” Dad asked.

  “As well as could be expected. She’s sore.” He didn’t want to say more. Besides, bad dreams were normal after trauma. Unfortunately, he knew that all too well. He turned to Kenji. “Do you know if we have any liquid ibuprofen?”

  “You’d have to ask Valerie or Zoey. I’m afraid I don’t know anything about that.”

  Luke flipped a burger. “Hey, if we can do anything, let me know.”

  “Thanks.” Alex headed over where the others were laughing at the babies. Although he couldn’t really call his nephew Caden a baby anymore, as he was toddling around now and had been since before his birthday.

  Zoey told him there was some medicine in Ariana’s bathroom.

  “I don’t take kids’ medicine anymore,” Ariana said. “You can take it to your apartment for her to keep.”

  Alex held back a chuckle. His daughter was a teenager through and through—she didn’t want to be mistaken for a kid for even a moment. He made small talk for a few minutes before heading inside to grab the pain medicine and returning to his apartment.

  Sobs sounded as soon as he opened the door.

  His heart shattered. “Ayla? Are you okay?” Obviously, she wasn’t, but what else could he say?

  She sniffled. “I guess.”

  Alex raced over to the converted bed. “I got the medicine.” He held it up.

  Ayla wiped her eyes. “Thanks.”

  “Do you want me to measure it out?”

  She nodded and took a shaky breath.

  Alex poured the pink medicine into the tiny plastic cup and
handed it to her. “Can I get you anything else?”

  Ayla’s eyes shone with tears. “Can you bring back my memories?”

  A lump formed in his throat. “I’ll do everything in my power to help.”

  She looked down at her lap for a moment before drinking the cup, then gave it back to him. “How many people are out there? A lot?”

  “It’s like a small family gathering. My parents, Zoey’s parents, my sister Macy and her husband Luke. And of course Ariana and the three babies.”

  Her eyes lit up. “I like babies. Or at least, I think I do.”

  Alex wrapped an arm around her. “I’m sure you do. You did when I lived with you guys.”

  “I did?”

  He nodded. “If you’re ready, I can introduce you to everyone.”

  She bit her lower lip.

  “I promise everyone is really nice, and they’re all excited to see you.”

  Ayla took a deep breath and sat up tall. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  He patted her back lightly. “That’s the attitude that’ll get you through this.”

  Suggestions

  Ayla bounced baby Laney on her lap and made a silly face. Laney burst into a giggle and reached her chubby hand for Ayla’s cheek. All of this felt so natural, but she had no idea why. Was it because she babysat? Did she have other young cousins?

  She pushed the thoughts away and played peekaboo with Laney, who laughed so hard, Ayla worried she’d stop breathing.

  Ariana smiled at her. “You’re really good with her.”

  Ayla shrugged.

  “It’s probably hard not remembering anything.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” Ayla stuck her tongue out at the baby, who tried to grab it.

  “I get it.” Ariana held Zander in the air and made some funny noises, which made both babies laugh.

  “You get it?” Ayla asked.

  “Yeah. I was kidnapped a couple of years ago. I mean, it’s not like I forgot anything, but it sucks. It’s a lot to deal with. I kind of wish I could forget.”

  Ayla studied her. Her older cousin seemed so normal and happy. Could Ayla one day be the same? “How’d you get over it?”

  Ariana set Zander down and played with a strand of hair. “Well, I haven’t. Not really, but I’ve moved on, you know? My Aunt Macy is a counselor for kids and teens, and she helped me a lot. Sometimes, she’d take me out for ice cream and we’d just talk for hours.”

  “I wonder if she’d help me, too.” Ayla glanced over at Macy, who was feeding Caden some chicken.

  “She totally would. You’re family.” Ariana smiled.

  A warmth spread through Ayla. Family. It was such a nice thought, but she couldn’t help wondering about her parents. The strangers in the photos who had raised her. She should be worried about them since nobody knew where they were. But she couldn’t even remember them. Not one little bit.

  Ariana nudged her. “You should go ask her.”

  “Macy?”

  “Yeah. The sooner, the better. Trust me on that.”

  “I wonder if she can help with my memories.”

  Ariana looked deep in thought. “Maybe. I mean, if anyone could, it’s probably her. Did you know she was kidnapped, too?”

  Ayla gave her a double-take. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. Our family’s cursed or something. No joke. My dad and mom were both kidnapped different times, and so was Luke’s mom.”

  “I wonder if I was, too. I’m not sure if I was just lost in the woods or if someone took me.”

  Ariana blew raspberries on Zander’s belly, making him burst out in laughter. “You’re part of this family, so probably.”

  “Why do so many of our relatives get kidnapped?”

  “Like I said, we’re cursed.”

  “By a witch or something?” Ayla tried to wrap her mind around it.

  “No idea, but it has to be true. I don’t know of any other families with such a crazy record—and I’ve looked online. There’s something about us.”

  Ayla shuddered despite the warm air. “Maybe that’s why nobody knows where my parents are. What if they’re still being held?”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me.” Ariana glanced toward the house. “Aunt Macy’s going inside. Go see if she’ll talk to you. You’ll be glad, I promise.”

  “Okay.” Ayla swallowed and handed Laney to Ariana before following Macy into the house.

  Macy was changing Caden’s diaper in the living room. She looked up and smiled at Ayla. “Hi there. Is everything okay?”

  Ayla took a deep breath. “Ariana says you helped her after she… after her…” Why was it so hard to say it?

  Macy nodded. “If you ever want to talk, just let me know.”

  Relief washed through her. “Really?”

  “Of course. You’re family. Anything you want to talk about now? I’m all ears.”

  “How do I remember my life?”

  Macy’s eyes widened. “That’s a question I’m not sure anyone can answer right now.”

  Disappointment washed through Ayla.

  “But that doesn't mean we can’t work on it.”

  Ayla nodded. “I don’t know where to start. I mean, I can’t remember anything.”

  “How does that make you feel?”

  “Feel? What does that matter?”

  Macy pulled on Caden’s pants and rocked him. “A lot. You’d be surprised the power in being able to name your emotions.”

  “I’m frustrated. Do you know what it’s like not to remember anything about your life?”

  “I don’t.” Macy gave her a sympathetic glance. “But you remember Alex, right? That’s something. Why do you think you remember him?”

  “I really have no idea. Maybe because he was nice to me.” Ayla shrugged.

  “That’s at least a starting point. I’ll bet there are pictures of that time. Looking through those might help spark something. If you see some pictures of your parents back then, you might remember them. Then you can go from there.”

  “And if I don’t remember them?”

  “We’ll try something else. Since you went through a traumatic experience, this amnesia is likely only short-term. You probably remembered everything just two days ago. It’s there—it’s close. We just have to figure out how you can access it.”

  Ayla frowned. “So my memories are like a password-protected program. I just need to figure out the password.”

  “That’s a good analogy. And it’s a password that you came up with, so the chances of breaking the code are good.”

  “What’s going on?” Alex stepped into the room. “I couldn’t find Ayla and got worried.”

  “We’re just talking.” Macy lay Caden in a pack-n-play in the corner. “Trying to figure out how to recover her memories.” She glanced at Ayla. “Would you mind going to play with Ariana while I talk with Alex?”

  “Sure.” Ayla got up and left the room, but she paused just out of sight in the kitchen to listen instead of going outside.

  “What do you want to talk about?” Uncle Alex asked.

  “I was just thinking maybe Ayla could stay with us.”

  “What?” Uncle Alex exclaimed. “I’m the only one she remembers. If she’s going to remember anything else, she needs to stay here.”

  “She just opened up to me, and I work with troubled youth. I can help her, Alex.”

  “You’re welcome to help her, but right now I’m her legal guardian. She feels safe with me, and I’m not going to push her away.”

  “You wouldn’t be pushing her away. I’m her family, too. And I can help.”

  “Come over anytime you want and speak with her, but she isn’t going to stay with you. Not unless she specifically requests it.”

  “Okay. I see your point, but keep my offer in mind. It might be best for her.”

  “Staying with the one person she remembers is what’s best.” He took a deep breath. “Look, I didn’t come inside to talk about this.”

  “Wha
t did you come in for?”

  “I need to make a call. I just got a text from Sergeant Hoffman in Spokane saying they found a building they think Ayla may have been held in.”

  Ayla gasped. Then she covered her mouth. She wasn’t supposed to be eavesdropping.

  “Ayla, is that you?” Uncle Alex called.

  She uncovered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been listening. It’s just… I…” She had no excuse. “I’m sorry.”

  “Come over here,” he said.

  Heart pounding, she trudged back into the living room. “I didn’t mean to snoop. I mean, I guess I did. But I can explain.”

  Uncle Alex wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t worry about a thing, okay?”

  “Okay.” But how could she not worry when they were arguing about where she should stay, and now the police had found the place in the woods where she probably got hurt?

  Discussion

  Nick took several silent deep breaths. Out of all the things he’d ever had to do, this was the hardest. Telling his son they weren’t related was harder than anything he’d ever had to do—on the job or otherwise.

  “You okay, Dad?” Parker gave him a quizzical expression and set his burger down.

  He swallowed. “Son, we’re going to have to talk. But we’ll finish our lunch first.”

  Parker looked at Nick’s plate. “You haven’t even touched yours. What’s going on?”

  His stomach twisted. “Finish your food.”

  He frowned and leaned forward. “How am I supposed to now? Why aren’t you eating? What’s the big news?”

  Nick’s heart pumped harder. “Can you just go with this?”

  Parker took a deep breath. “I guess.”

  Nick picked at his food while Parker scarfed down the rest of his, throwing questioning glances his way every so often.

  “You going to tell me what’s going on yet?” Parker slurped the last of his pop. “I should’ve known something was up when you brought me here.”